Minerva worksurface installation instructions.

This page contains all the information a potential fitter will need to complete a successful Minerva installation. To access the eight Minerva installation videos, produced by Sylmar, the manufacturer, just click on the links or images below. The videos cover everything from measuring and cutting to joining, edging and fitting undermounted sinks, plus the latest Minerva brochure and care and maintenance downloads.  

1/ Minerva worksurfaces - Introduction

  • Minerva is modular range of solid surface worktops and breakfast bars which makes fitting a straightforward process.  You can achieve seamless, virtually inconspicuous joints, curves of any radius, or even variable radius curves, and even undermounted sinks. All of these are easy to prepare and cut on site so there is no templating. This video shows how to install and cut, join, finish, make curves, install undermounted sink modules and make cut-outs for hobs. Belfast sinks can be catered for, along with seamless end panels if required. Also covered is a video showing how to remove any minor scratches, should they occur. Dust masks and eye protection are highly recommended when cutting and sanding Minerva. Also recommended are disposable gloves when handling the Minerva adhesives.

2/ Minerva worksurfaces - Cutting and jointing

  • Unpack the individually packed worktops carefully and if you have ordered two or more worktops, take a few moments to check for colour consistency as described in this video. In the highly unlikely event that they don’t match, let us know immediately and we will exchange them. For each joint that you make, one Minerva joint kit is needed and includes isopropyl alcohol wipes, two part colour matched adhesive, sandpaper in different grades and abrasive pad, MDF blocks plus instruction booklet. Trimming Minerva to size is achieved simply with a circular saw and a straight edge. A powerful router is needed to make the male and female sides of the joint. Both faces of the joint are keyed with 120 grit sandpaper prior to fitting. Cleaning the joint faces with the isopropyl wipes before the joint is assembled is simple to do and is absolutely essential to achieve a perfect joint. The two part adhesive is applied to both faces of the joint to be made and a spatula is used to spread the adhesive evenly. The working time of the adhesive is around 8 to 10 minutes depending upon the ambient temperature. 

  • Complete curing time for the adhesive can be around 45 minutes. Sanding is done using three different grades of sandpaper, then with an abrasive pad.

3/ Minerva worksurfaces - Preparing cut outs for sinks and hobs

  • Preparing cut-outs for hobs or sinks is a simple process. Ideally make a jig from MDF, make the cuts with a router, two or three cutting passes will be necessary, then a slight radius is applied to the top edge of the cut-out. Dust should be removed between passes, but a router with dust extraction facility is preferable. Heat reflective tape is then applied to the cut-out with an overlap onto the top face.

4/ Minerva worksurfaces - Installing sinks

  • The Minerva worktop range includes a selection of undermounted sink modules with either stainless steel sinks, which are transported separately to the worktops, or white acrylic sinks which are fully factory fitted with an impervious smooth join which blends in with the rest of the worktop. To fit the stainless steel bowls to the sink module, turn the worktop so it is face down, fit waste kit, apply silicon to the rim of the bowl and also to the cut-out, then bring them together and secure them in place with the screws and sink clips provided having first checked that they are positioned correctly.

5/ Minerva worksurfaces - Installing upstands and splashbacks

  • The fitting of the Minerva splashbacks and/or upstands is a simple process which will greatly enhance the installation. The reverse side of the splashback or upstand is keyed with sandpaper and the wall it is being attached to should be scored with a blade or a knife. Both surfaces should be cleaned. They should be secured in position using high quality silicon. The image shows Minerva Carrara White splashbacks. The upstands and splashbacks are both made from 12.5mm thick solid Minerva material.

6/ Minerva worksurfaces - Cutting curves

  • Minerva, as it a solid surface through and through with no chipboard base, is an ideal for making curves and for making Belfast sink cut-outs. A guide jig can be easily made using MDF, then the cut can be made using three passes from a router. The cut edge is then made smooth using a sander and three different grades of sandpaper, then the final finishing process with the wet abrasive pad. For a Belfast cut-out, again a jig is used, and a board placed under the worktop to prevent the offcut from falling. The cut edges are again sanded in the same way as before. Drainer grooves can then be cut using a special jig and router bit.

7/ Minerva worksurfaces - Fabricating end panels

  • To achieve seamless end panel joints, firstly, the top end is cut exactly to length on site to ensure that it is straight, then a shallow rebate is cut in the horizontal worktop. After a dry fit test, then thorough cleaning, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the surface brought together. Weight is applied to the top surface while the adhesive is curing, then the joint is sanded in the usual way.

8/ Minerva worksurfaces - Care and maintenance

  • This video has many useful tips explaining how easy it is to keep your Minerva worktops in perfect condition.

  • Removing minor scratching using Scotchbrite pad

Download the latest Minerva worktop brochure

This brochure shows the latest 2018 Minerva colours.

Download the Minerva Installation, Care and Maintenance Manual  

You will automatically receive a hard copy of this manual when you order any Minerva worktop, but it is advisable to download, print  and read the manual prior to the worktops arriving so that the fitter can familiarise themself with the processes.

Download the Minerva Quick Start Care Guide  

This covers how to store the worktops prior to use, checks you should carry out before fitting, a list of tools you will need for a successful fit, a brief description of the Minerva worktop fitting process, care and maintenance advice, initial treatment and cleaning method, plus removal of scratches.